PEOPLE who put their bins out on the wrong day will no longer be at risk of a fine, Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has announced.

Mr Pickles said the Government would legislate to stop the “unreasonable” punishments.

A neighbourhood test will also be introduced to end “ludicrous” fines for putting rubbish in the wrong bin.

Under current rules, councils can start court proceedings for “household waste offences” with fines of up to £1,000.

we’re actually going to legislate in the next parliamentary session, which is this year

Eric Pickles

On-the-spot penalties of £80 can also be issued.

“I’m delighted to announce that given the unreasonable nature of these charges we’re actually going to legislate in the next parliamentary session, which is this year,” he told the BBC’s Sunday Politics.

“We’re going to have a test with regard to the neighbourhood.

“So if you put the wrong yoghurt pot into the wrong bin it is ludicrous to fine people.”

He referred to teacher Alex Young, who faces a £1,000 fine by Stevenage Borough Council because her bin juts out 12 inches from her property.

He said it would be reasonable to fine people who scattered their litter about, however.